An Air India flight did an emergency evacuation at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Monday morning soon after landing. Smoke was seen coming out of the aircraft's undercarriage moments after the flight from Hyderabad landed in Mumbai around 7.30 am. The aircraft had apparently a tyre burst on landing. Timely action saved the lives of 120 passengers on board all of whom have been evacuated safely. The main runway of the airport has been closed.

28-Mar-2016Politics

President's Rule in Uttarakhand: Congress To Appeal in State High Court

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is set to move the state High Court today to appeal against the imposition of President's Rule in the state. A day before Rawat was scheduled to face the vote of confidence in Uttarakhand state assembly to prove his majority, the union government imposed President's rule in the state on grounds of constitutional breakdown. Governor K.K. Paul's reports on the state's political situation and a sting operation against Rawat is likely have played a role in this decision.

28-Mar-2016Others

Haryana Cabinet Clears Bill for Jat Reservation

The Haryana government's cabinet passed the Bill providing reservation to Jats in education and government jobs today. Jat protesters had given April 3 as deadline for meeting their demand for reservation after a violent agitation last month. The cabinet meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has paved the way for the draft Bill on reservation to Jats and four other castes. The Bill is likely to be tabled at the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly.

28-Mar-2016Others

Indian Air Force Facing Capacity Crisis: U.S. Expert

While India is busy deliberating what fighter aircraft to invest in after the government purchased 36 French Rafale jets earlier this year, an American expert on India’s air capabilities has observed that the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) decreasing end strength, problematic force structure and questionable acquisition and development programs imperil the nation’s air superiority over its rapidly modernising rivals like Pakistan and China. Senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ashley Tellis, who specialises in international security, defence and Asian strategic issues, has said in his report that air dominance is crucial for India to have deterrence stability in southern Asia and preserve strategic balance in the broader Indo-Pacific region.